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Joey Chesnut won his 10th title in 11 years at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Tuesday, downing 72 dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Courtesy: ESPN (Published Tuesday, July 4, 2017)

Reigning hot dog-eating champion Joey Chestnut has taken the win again in the Nathan's Famous July Fourth hot dog eating competition.

He trounced the competition Tuesday afternoon with 72 dogs and buns eaten at Coney Island, besting his previous Coney Island record of 70 dogs in 10 minutes. Carmen Cincotti came in second place with 62.

"It's another great Fourth of July," Chestnut said moments after winning his 10th Mustard Belt in 11 years.

The tally broke the previous record at a Nathan's hot dog eating competition for dogs downed, although Chestnut said he thought he could have done better.

Dozens of competitive eaters descended on Coney Island Tuesday morning to gobble for their pride - and cash prizes - at the renowned hot dog eating contest in New York.

The competition is screened live by ESPN, and the women's section wrapped just after 11:15 a.m with Sudo the victor. Chestnut won shortly after 1 p.m.

The competition was not without some controversy. The unofficial count for dogs eaten by Sudo was originally 36. But the official count showed the real number consumed was significantly different: 5 more dogs.

Sudo said afterwards that she knew the count was off.

Chestnut was defending his title at the showdown on the Coney Island boardwalk. Chestnut beat out nemesis Matt "The Megatoad" Stonie in the 2017 rematch.

Despite his latest achievement, Chestnut said he had “slowed down quite a bit.”

“I was sweating like a mad dog,” he said following Tuesday's victory. “I know I could do better.”

Chestnut credited his training as a competitive eater.

"I think outside the box," he said. "I have to treat competitive eating like a sport. It's not just like going to a buffet. I'm not a buffet buster. I train. I fast. I tape my practices and try and figure out how to improve so I make my body work for me and I've been really lucky with how it's performed."

Chestnut's facing Matt "The Megatoad" Stonie in a rematch.
Chestnut downed 70 franks and buns in 10 minutes last year, topping his own
Coney Island record.

Meanwhile, Miki Sudo (MIHK'-ee SOO'-doh) is hoping for a fourth title in a
row as she confronts Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas in the women's
competition. Sudo powered through 38 1/2 hot dogs and buns to beat Thomas last
year. But Thomas holds the women's record, at 45 franks.

The chowdown showdown usually draws thousands of spectators and is televised
on ESPN.